As anticipated, Sundance was a complete success. While working as a hostess at the private events at the Grey Goose Lounge I met some fascinating people and more familiar faces than I can recall. Besides having Quincy Jones commenting on my “nice stems” and SNL’s Chris Kattan creeping on me, I was pleased to meet Elijah Wood and told him my life is incomplete until Wilfred season 2, thanked Richard Gere for an inspiring contribution to my newest favorite book, Me to We and served drinks to the handsome faces of James Marsden, Joshua Jackson and Aziz Ansari (the hilarious Indian guy from Parks & Recreation.)
It was an exciting 5 days to say the least, however, my shining moment was meeting Jason Mraz, my idol (some might say obsession) for the past decade. I was fortunate enough to befriend the director of the Bing Lounge which has been my favorite event every year, known for hosting great music shows of all kinds. When I heard (on twitter) Jason was performing at Bing the next day after the In Search of Incredible award presentation I was thrilled, as I had been following the Search of Incredible since the beginning. This campaign, sponsored by Intel and Asus, high lighted inspirational stories around the World and was hosted by Jason Mraz, who is incredible himself, not only talented but with his involvement in many social, eco and global issues.
The presentation of the videos and winner of the Search of Incredible moved me to tears (which is very rare unless Jason Mraz’s amazing musical talents are involved) and was truly incredible! The venue was so intimate, I felt like we were all a bunch of friends experiencing something very special. During the break between the presentation and Jason’s performance I met the winner, Dan Hedlund and his wife who stood by him through years of chemotherapy and his battle with cancer. It was a true account of love and support and absolute commitment. Truly Incredible. It was just as much an honor to meet them and thank them for being inspiring to me to look past minor challenges in my loving relationships.
Dan, his wife and another “superfan”, Dayne and I took up the front row and enjoyed the hour long set performed by Jason and Toca Rivera, his percussionist/ vocal partner for the past 10 years. These two men, with just their instruments, made some of the best live music I have ever heard (and I have seen a LOT in my 23 years, thanks to my rock n roll ranger father.) The show was also streamed live through Bing, Facebook and Jason Mraz site and yours truly’s front and center dance moves graced the computer screens of millions of viewers worldwide. You are Welcome, for making that show that much more entertaining! I watched it later and my little blue beret never stopped bouncing!
Jason ending the show with his hit “I’m Yours” and Yours Truly dancing and singing her booty off in the front row!
After the show, my friend, the director of the event, secretly ushered me (and my new friend Dayne) backstage where we met Jason and Toca! Dayne got his Ukulele signed and I got to finally have my chat with Jason I have always dreamed of (and on several occasions came close to) having. I thanked him for making music with a message, told him “Remedy” got me through high school and his whole last album has been on repeat in my life since 2008. We discussed the Inca Trail (as we have both completed it) and the magic of Machu Picchu. (Our Feliz Navidad video at Machu Picchu was inspired by a less cute video Jason made with his friend there) We joked about surfing back home in San Diego versus Costa Rica and also explained how his blog and general attitude about life has motivated me to be more involved in spreading peace & love at every opportunity. He even wrote me a little “love note” on the set list I snagged off stage, including the message I have adapted as my personal motto “What Would Love Do?” It was a moment I had thought about for years and finally manifested the perfect opportunity. Such an a-Mraz-ing moment it was!
By Saturday night I had already achieved a huge goal but when I noticed Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos and the author of my favorite business book, Delivering Happiness, sitting at a table at our event, I knew the Universe was not done giving me amazing opportunities. I had remembered Tony’s favorite drink from when he was the speaker at the 2010 Classy Awards in San Diego and I had been appointed his unofficial cocktail waitress. I caught Tony’s attention, asked him if he wanted a double Grey Goose and soda with a lime and he was surprised I knew his drink and called me over. I explained how I knew him and how his book inspired me to focus LMH Promotions in a direction I was passionate about and for purpose and how the profit came much easier since. His book changed my life and in thanking him I got to explain more of my vision and he was so impressed he made me pinky promise him I would email him and set up a meeting in Las Vegas where the Zappos headquarters is located. I told him to consider it done.
The rest of Sundance was a whirlwind of working crazy events, free swag, the usual amazing parties that went into the early morning hours with famous actors and their agents, producers, musicians and all around awesome people but that’s a bonus to the meaningful moments that have changed my life forever.
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